a central characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a key feature or quality that is fundamental to a subject or concept. Example: "The ability to adapt to change is a central characteristic of successful leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

A central characteristic of the buildings is glass.

The New Yorker

This particular talent for metamorphosis is a central characteristic of all of the actors featured in this week's archive collection.

The New Yorker

The contractual sharing of public responsibilities by all governments in the system appears to be a central characteristic of federalism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Does Mr. Medvedev mean what he seems to say? Can he ease the grip on Russian political life that has been a central characteristic of Mr. Putin's rule?

The New York Times

For Mr. Hofstadter, a central characteristic of the paranoid style is the conviction that the nation faces a hostile and conspiratorial world and the absence of sensible judgments about how to respond to that threat.

The New York Times

And although both are American, the other composers were from Korea (by way of Germany), Estonia and Britain — globe-trotting being a central characteristic of Mr. Sachs's programming style.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

MFE is a central characteristic that defines the secondary structure of RNA.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Identity relevance involves finding personal meaning in the activities one is engaged in, typically because they relate to an enduring and central characteristic of a person's sense of who they are as an individual (Stryker and Burke, 2000).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

For all this, however, a surprising number of legal theorists agree at least at an abstract level about one central characteristic of interpretation, namely that interpretation is a Janus-faced concept, encompassing both a backward-looking conserving component, and a forward-looking creative one.

SEP

The central characteristic of a construct is that its indicators co-vary with each other.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Such a hub-like structure is the central characteristic of scale free networks [ 16].

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a central characteristic of", ensure that the characteristic you are describing is indeed fundamental and not just a superficial aspect. Be precise in identifying the characteristic to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a central characteristic of" for minor or secondary features. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound less credible. Save it for truly essential aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central characteristic of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies and emphasizes a key attribute or feature that is fundamental to the subject being discussed. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central characteristic of" is a phrase used to emphasize a fundamental quality or attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the characteristic you are describing is indeed fundamental and avoid overusing the phrase to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "a key attribute of" or "a core element of" for variety and precision. Ludwig's examples underscore its importance in defining and explaining concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key attribute of

This alternative replaces "characteristic" with "attribute", emphasizing a quality or feature.

a core element of

This alternative uses "element" instead of "characteristic", highlighting a fundamental component.

a primary feature of

This alternative substitutes "characteristic" with "feature", focusing on a notable aspect.

a defining trait of

This alternative replaces "characteristic" with "trait", emphasizing a distinguishing quality.

an essential aspect of

This alternative uses "aspect" instead of "characteristic", highlighting a necessary part.

a fundamental property of

This alternative substitutes "characteristic" with "property", focusing on an inherent quality.

a critical component of

This alternative replaces "characteristic" with "component", emphasizing a vital part.

a significant attribute of

This alternative uses "significant attribute" to convey importance.

a notable quality of

This alternative substitutes "characteristic" with "quality", focusing on a distinctive attribute.

a major facet of

This alternative replaces "characteristic" with "facet", highlighting an important angle or aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a central characteristic of" in a sentence?

Use "a central characteristic of" to highlight a fundamental quality or feature of something. For example, "Adaptability is "a central characteristic of" successful startups."

What are some alternatives to "a central characteristic of"?

You can use phrases like "a key attribute of", "a core element of", or "a primary feature of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "central characteristic" or "key characteristic"?

Both "central characteristic" and "key characteristic" are correct. "Central characteristic" emphasizes the fundamental nature of the characteristic, while "key characteristic" highlights its importance.

What's the difference between "a central characteristic of" and "a typical characteristic of"?

"A central characteristic of" refers to an essential or fundamental aspect, while "a typical characteristic of" refers to a common or representative feature. They are not interchangeable.